9 July 2021
ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts: Concern was expressed that any change in net purchases not based on improvement in inflation outlook would lead to unwarranted tightening of financial conditions
The
ECB released account of its June 9-10 monetary policy meeting. It noted that:
- Members
generally agreed that, despite increase in nominal risk-free rates, euro area
financing conditions had remained accommodative and continued to support
recovery;
- Concern
was voiced that sustained rise in market rates could translate into tightening
of broader financing conditions that were relevant for wider economy;
- It
was reiterated that preserving favourable financing conditions over pandemic
period remained essential to reduce uncertainty and bolster confidence;
- Members
expressed broad agreement with Lane’s proposal to reconfirm very accommodative
monetary policy stance and to leave ECB’s monetary policy configuration
unchanged, including proposal to continue net purchases under PEPP over the
next quarter at significantly higher pace than during the first months of the
year;
- While
it seemed appropriate that improved outlook should be reflected in Governing
Council’s policy stance, financing conditions were assessed as too fragile to
allow meaningful reduction in pace of purchases without risking disorderly rise
in yields;
- It
was stressed that recovery was at early stage and lacked robustness, as it
depended heavily on policy support;
- Undue
tightening of financing conditions at current juncture could jeopardise ongoing
economic recovery and outlook for inflation; noticeable slowing of pace of
purchases for next quarter was therefore seen as inappropriate at current
juncture;
- Concern
was expressed that any change in net purchases not based on clear improvement
in medium-term inflation outlook would lead to unwarranted tightening of
financing and financial conditions and cast doubt on Governing Council’s
resolve to bring inflation back to its aim;
- It was also argued that, to provide same degree
of accommodation, asset purchases should be scaled back somewhat. It was
stressed that improved outlook should be reflected in pace of purchases